Discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use: 10-year follow-up

• Published in: Family practice Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 253 - 259
• Main Authors: de Gier, N A H, Gorgels, W J M J, Lucassen, P L B J, Oude Voshaar, R, Mulder, J, Zitman, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.06.2011
• Subjects: Abstinence; Aged; Benzodiazepines; Benzodiazepines - therapeutic use; Discontinued; Dosage; Drug Utilization - statistics & numerical data; Female; Follow-Up Studies; General Practice; Humans; Interventions; Male; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Primary health care; Substance-Related Disorders; Netherlands
• ISSN: 0263-2136; 1460-2229
• DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmq113

Several interventions aiming at discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use have been proven effective in the short term. However, data on the persistence of discontinuation are lacking. To assess 10-year follow-up status in patients who succeeded in stopping benzodiazepine use after a discontinuation letter from the patient's own GP. To identify determinants of successful discontinuation on the long term. Follow-up data of patients who participated in a large prospective, controlled stepped care intervention programme among long-term benzodiazepine users in primary care. At 10-year follow-up, the percentage of benzodiazepine abstinence was 58.8%. Non-abstinent patients used lower doses of benzodiazepine. Being abstinent at 21 months after the intervention predicted abstinence at 10-year follow-up. Ten years after a minimal intervention to decrease long-term benzodiazepine use, the majority of patients who were able to discontinue benzodiazepine use initially, does not use benzodiazepines at 10-year follow-up. Patients who did not succeed in maintaining abstinence from benzodiazepines appear to use lower or average dosages.